It's spring in Portland. The one silver lining to living in a rainy city is bearing witness to a lush spring. Tulip trees, camellias, dogwoods, cherry blossoms - everything is popping and vibrant. So, it's no wonder that my thoughts are all about flowers and color these days.

Lately I've really enjoyed the artwork from the duo at Inaluxe, a husband/wife team of fine artists residing in Victoria, Australia. Their work always features a riot of colors and a nod to nature, so it seems appropriate for thoughts of spring. One of my first childhood memories is a comforter with a classic Marimekko pattern in red, white and black. That launched a love of pattern and color that I try to infuse in all my projects. Like a mashup of the vintage work of Charlie Harper and the innovative pattern designs of Marimekko, Inaluxe's art is crisp and aspirational. I could picture some of their work as giant murals on downtown buildings or inside industrial warehouse buildings turned workspaces. Bright spots of nature.

If you're interested in adding more color to your walls, check out my latest article for dwell.com. Knowing that the color of your environment has proven psychological effects on behavior & productivity, I've broken down 8 popular colors. So, now I just have to find the next target of a color/pattern overhaul....

Building a successful home in the desert means being conscious of the region's elements and understanding both the challenges and opportunities. Luckily, prefab homes are inherently well-suited for the harsh desert climate.

The allure of prefab is based on three main components: it's efficient, economical, and ecologically-minded. The homes can be erected in record time with minimal intrusion on the landscape. Additionally, the components are generally light and precise, allowing for a foundation that's flexible to the rocky soils of the region. Fabricated with long-lasting materials and finishes that ensure longevity and low maintenance, prefab homes provide a comfortable living space even under severe weather conditions.

To learn more about five best-practice measures to consider when designing your desert oasis, from site placement to successful layout strategies , check out my original article on dwell.com.

Downsizing your life in order to live small sometimes requires creative ninja moves to find adequate storage.

Having spaces to stow away belongings in underutilized areas is critical to maintaining one's sanity in cramped quarters. Luckily, there are plenty of clever furnishings that do double duty as storage. Finding areas within framed building elements can also be instrumental in carving out space—from storage under stairs to bookshelves built into walls. To learn more about space saving ideas to employ when every inch of living space is critical, check out ten suggestions featured in my article on dwell.com.

I'm an architect & writer based in Portland, Oregon. I'm passionate about broadcasting the value of design and established Y/Wd in 2012 as a design resource with a mission to connect, create & communicate.